Hi All
I am from Cape Town, South Africa and I am looking to start up the hobby.
I am wanting to know which is the best way to go DC or AC? As I have been told that once you buy a DC set you can not add other makes. Is this true?
Secondly, I have chosen to go with the Peco make of tracks. Is this a good choice, as they are are freely available in certain stores in SA?
Many thanks.
This is only my opinion,based on what I’ve read so far here and there on the Internet and magazines.AC systems(Marklin) are of very high quality,highly regarded specially in Europe but they are in a world of their own.
DC on the other hand is the more “universal” system used to control model trains,so that you can find a much wider choice of manufacturer/model combos,along with a wider price range too.You can mix brands and models at will with DC as every maker follow established standards(track size,polarity,etc).
Depending on the size of your layout project and the number of trains you wi***o control at the same time,DC will require what is called “block control”,which means that you will need an array of switches,power supplies,relays,etc to adequately control your trains,not counting sometimes complex wiring.
Since you say you haven’t purchased anything yet,I suggest you consider DCC(Digital Command Control),which will offer you a much more prototypical way to control model trains.It does cost more indeed,specially for smaller layouts,but it’s advantages outweigh the price difference by reducing the wiring complexity and the almost inevitable troubleshooting of electrical problems.It also reduces the amount of switches needed as you don’t need block control but it’s most important advantage is the more flexible prototypical operation.
I suggest visiting Loy’s Toys and Digitrax’s website,or simply type DCC on your search engine.You’ll be able to learn a lot on DCC and be able to decide for yourself.
Peco tracks are indeed very good(our club uses them) but I read that some other makes like Shinohara and Micro-Engineering are fine too but I haven’t had the chance to work with them.
I think Peco is a fine choice of track. If you do a search of the forum’s posts, you’ll find many references and recommendations for Peco.
Good luck with your layout! [tup]
Peco track, especially the new Code 83 track is excellent, as is Shinohara. However, with Shinohara you cannot have insulated frogs, while Peco offers both insulated and non-insluated frogs. Micro-Engineering track looks fantastic, BUT, and this is a BIG BUT, their method of attaching the points to the throw rod is really poor and readily breaks with any regular use. I had 27 of their turnouts on my layout and had to change them for Shinohara - BIG EXPENSE!. If you do want to use Micro-Engineering, I would suggest you add a screw and lock nut to each so that they don’t break apart.
As for train control, I studied all of the various types when they started to come on the market and the best at that time was C.V.P.'s “RAILCOMMAND”. I started with that system and have NEVER regreted this decision for one instant. In my opinion, it is FAR superior to any of the DCC systems presently on the market and the customer service and assistance that the company affords it’s customers is FANTASTIC!!! Our entire group of 7 members in this area (Madawaska, Maine) all have the same system. If you reallly want DCC, take a very SERIOUS look as “Easy DCC” by C.V.P., I can guarantee you won’t regret this. No, I do not have any shares in CVP, I’m just a VERY satisfied user!
Norman